Andrea: “The RS-GP has great potential and agility. The crashes? The consequences of a new bike, because you don't know the limit”

Andrea Iannone continues his apprenticeship on board the Aprilia at Valencia. It wasn't an easy Wednesday for The Maniac, who suffered two crashes at turns six and eight and finished the day in seventeenth place, more than a second and a half from the front.

“Today was interesting in order to understand the level we can reach – starts Andrea - sensations are not bad. There are some small problems and we need to adapt the bike to my riding style, particularly in terms of its balance. Unfortunately we have too much load at the front and so are stressing the tyre too much. We need to personalise the bike during the next tests”.

Andrea prefers to see the glass half full.

“There are some adjustments to make, but we have clear ideas. It's a pity about the double crash, but I consider it normal. As I've said, not yet knowing the bike, these things can happen. Usually the crashes are a consequence of the new bike, because you don't know the limit and so end up on the ground”.

The Maniac then focuses on the strengths of the RS-GP.

“We have a good base and the bike has great potential. Today we started with the same base as Aleix, despite us having different style. As I've said, we'll be focusing on that during the next tests”.

The Italian doesn't appear to be in a hurry right now.

“We are working one step at a time, avoiding any drastic changes, I think that's best, also because there are some new people on the team and we need it all to gel. I can say that the bike is very agile and turns very well, then there are other aspects where we are further behind. Where? I prefer not to say, seeing as we have time to work on those details”.

Rider #29 nevertheless appears confident.

“We've had two strange tests, also because the bike and team are new and you can't expect everything right away. The positive thing is that we're understanding where we need to work to improve. In a week's time we'll be at Jerez so will plan what we need to do there. If necessary I'll go to Noale, as I'm well aware that this situation can bear fruit later”.

Unlike his team-mate, Iannone had only one bike available, and is yet to climb on the second.

“It's not yet the time or place to test the other. Before using it, I need to fully exploit the first, otherwise it's useless”.